Dharwad enjoys an important place in our history, right from the Paleolithic times. There are relics that have been excavated from the region, supporting this. Dharwad means a resting place in a small habitation or a long travel. The place has been the ideal gateway between Bayalu (plains) and Malenaadu (western mountains).
For its location, it soon turned an ideal resting place for people traveling. The name comes from two words in Sanskrit – ‘dwara’ (door) and ‘wata’ (or wada that means town), together called ‘dwarawata’. The district had seen the rise and falls of many ruling dynasties, their administrative systems and bears the architectural brilliance of all these eras. The list includes the Chalukyas of Badami, Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas, Satavahanas, Kadambas, Mughals and even the Peshwas from Pune.
Sightseeing in and around Dharwad
A place such as Dharwad is a huge attraction for tourists, especially those who love to get lost in the golden eras of our country. Dharwad boasts of several temples with impressive architecture and other places to visit as well.
Chandramouleshwara Temple
Situated at Hubli, the Chandramoulehwar speaks of the architectural excellence from the times of the Chalukyas. The temple is said to be very revered and the oldest (900 years old) in Dharwad. The temple includes a number of brilliant features like the surroundings and the idols of Mahishasurmardini and Chatrubhuja that were established by the then ruler of the Chalukyas.
The temple has two Shivlings and Nandi statues at the entrance and twelve doors – every direction. One of these lingas has four faces and called Chaturmukha lingam. This is one of the specialities of the temple. The place is surrounded by plants and green lands that add to its beauty and tranquillity.
Nrupatunga Betta
This is one of the major tourist attractions in the city of Hubli. The place is basically a hillock that has asphalted roads all over. This is a perfect resting place for people. This is a recent development by the district administration. One needs to get tickets to walk from a new entrance till the hill top, for 1 km. Vehicles are to be parked before the entrance. The entire pathway has lamp posts and there are fences on both sides. There is a high mast lamp at the hill top. Some also have solar lighting to maintain eco-friendliness.
Unakal Lake. Image courtesy Manjunath Doddamani Gajendragad
Unkal Lake
This lake is known for water sports. Also one can have a great experience of the sunset view here. A number of recreational activities can be done at this place. There is a beautiful lush green garden here and the entire surrounding further beautifies the lake. Boating is one of the major attractions of this place. It is exactly located at the outskirts of Hubli. The lake is known for being the largest water body, spread more than 200 acres. The middle of the lake has a statue of Swami Vivekananda. There is also a park close to the place that can be used for picnic.
Siddharoodha Math
This is one of the most visited places in Dharwad. The math, a religious institution draws the attraction of several devotees. There is a car festival that is organized during the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri. This math is located 2 kms away from the city of Hubli and is an important centre of the Advaita philosophy. The math has a marble statue of Swami Siddharoodha, a Hindu mystic of Advaita Vedanta. It is believed to be his last resting place.
Indira Gandhi Glass House Garden
The place has been named after the late Prime Minister of our country. The glass house is well-structured that attracts a number of tourists as well as locals. While it is built as a glass house, the place serves as venue for different exhibitions, events and meetings as well.
It is surrounded by a beautiful garden and has sculptures. Events like flower show, musical fountain show and more take place here. There is also a laughter club that offers laughter therapy in early hours of the day. It is a must for someone who loves to get lost in the beauty of nature.
Amruteshwara Temple (Annigeri)
Situated in the district of Dharwad, in Annigeri town, the temple’s main deity is Lord Shiva. The temple is built of beautiful black stone by the Kalyani Chalukyas. The town Annigeri enjoys historical importance, being a part of the western Chalukya Empire and also the Yadavas, Hoysalas and Kalucharya kingdoms. In fact, it became the capital for the Kalyani Chalukyas for a while. This was built in 1050 in the Dravidian style. The structure has 76 pillars that support its roof. Also the temple walls have carvings of various mythological characters.
How to reach Dharwad
Dharwad is well-connected to Bangalore through trains and roads, while it is located closest to Hubli. It can be reached using different routes from other parts of Karnataka, though Bangalore serves the most direct roadways.
By Air
The closest airport to Dharwad is Hubli, located only 11 km away. The aerial distance between Dharwad and Bangalore is 385 km. Mysore is located 390 km away. However, there is no direct flight from Bangalore to Dharwad.
By Road
Hubli is the closest place at a distance of 14 km that can be covered by buses or cabs. Mangalore is 389 km away from Dharwad while Bangalore is 423 km and Mysore is 493 km away from the place. One can take VRL to reach Dharwad from these cities.
By Rail
There is no direct rail route to Dharwad from cities like Mangalore, Hubli and Mysore. However one can travel through Intercity Express from Bangalore.